Easton Officials Seek Cause Of `Explosion,' Fire In Apartment Unit

A 58-year-old Easton man was treated for smoke inhalation yesterday morning after he discovered a fire in his apartment building.

Harold Apgar of 22 S. 2nd St., third floor, said he was shaving when he heard what sounded like an explosion around 11 a.m. in an apartment below his.

"I tried to break the door down after I found out which room it was," Apgar said.

Apgar said he was unable to break down the door, but two unidentified men did. One of them brought a fire extinguisher and knocked down some of the flames, according to Apgar and Deputy Fire Chief Gerald Flavelle. Apgar said he inhaled too much smoke after the door to the apartment was opened.

Officials said the second-floor apartment is occupied by Mark Mullowney, who was not home. Flavelle said the cause of the fire appears to be accidental.

Flavelle and police were puzzled about how one of the windows to the apartment broke out, sending shards of glass onto the sidewalk and street below. "Something happened in that room and we just want to see what he can add to our investigation," Flavelle said.

"Something inside the apartment pushed the window out. The room is not damaged enough for it to get a back draft and blow it out like that," he said.

The building is owned by Dr. Anthony Fiore of Bangor. Flavelle said other than the smoke, there was no other damage to the apartment or the building.